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Not grand, not chic, but our week in chalet 7 was perfect for us and our 3 year old. Overlooking the golf course towards the Cairngorms, the chalet sleeps up to 6 but I would say no more than 4 comfortably. Enough privacy, very quiet and about right for the price we paid.

The small kitchen was all we needed for the week and a conservatory provided an outdoor/indoors dining room to save us from the midges. Beds were comfy and the chalet was well appointed and clean. The carpets looked new. We had the wifi and entertainment package (£10 for a week) which worked well.

The club house is fairly basic and food expensive, but again is all you should need and feels like anything you might find at a 3 star hotel. The staff were always helpful and range of sports facilities are good - tennis / swimming / 9&18 hole golf / and more. 'Playground' was run down and could do with being re-done and the swimming pool area was a little shabby (but with new changing rooms).

We were really surprised with how much there was to do close by - easily enough to fill 2 weeks. For families, highly recommend Loch Morlich, Landmark Park in Carrbridge, Nairn Beach, Highland Wildlife Park, Folk Museum in Kingussie, Cairngorm mountain train, Mountain Café in Aviemore for lunch + coffee, and The Old Bridge Inn.The main Macdonald resort is in the centre of Aviemore and has a brilliant new-ish leisure complex and other facilities.

Room Tip: Ask for a chalet or apartment directly overlooking the golf course. Some of these also have mountain...

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Stayed August 2013, travelled with family

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1Thank MrWandle

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Ask MrWandle about Macdonald Spey Valley Golf & Country Club

This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

Firstly I would like to say that my husband and I (no I'm not the Queen!!) visit Aviemore regularly for short breaks in between holidays. We normally stay at the High Range and this has been the case for around 30 years. The Motel is exceptional (clean, warm and comfortable) however the chalets leave a lot to be desired as they are in desperate need of a refurb, but on saying that, we have spent many a happy time here over the years. We have also stayed in the Pine Bank chalets and I believe these are now being refurbished. However, we could not get booked for our little two night break this time and ended up in the Spey Country Club. We stayed in a Chalet which overlooked the golf course which was a stunning outlook to wake up to. (Golf Clubs can be hired for £5). Whilst I want to praise the chalet, I have to express my views. I think that unless you want to spend ££££ anywhere in Aviemore, then it seems that the majority of the chalets anywhere all seem to need a refurbishment. In my own home we are impeccably clean, but for some reason when we visit Aviemore we expect that our standards will never be met unless we have ££££ to spend on accommodation! Our chalet on this occasion was warm (for two nights our electricity was only £4.00!!) we had everything we needed, fridge, bath, (High Range and Pine Bank don't) kitchen and a large glass conservatory which provided the wonderful views. The property was dated, but comfortable. The beds were clean and there were clean towels and toiletries. One of the lights in the bedroom was missing from the wall above the bed, a light in the living room didn't work and the bathroom had mould. When I visited the bathroom I did this with "Closed eyes" which is the case with most of the chalets we stay in.....omg it sounds like we stay in cheap run down places in Aviemore.....this is not the case.....for our break here it cost us £80 per night. The "Clubhouse" was OK, slightly run down, but the pool looked clean enough and there is an "Adult Only" time. We didn't use the restaurant, food seemed a little pricey, but it had a nice feel about the building, comfortable and relaxing, not as up market as The Coylumbridge and not as expensive....kind of in between and it felt like it worked. Whilst we were there we visited the "Sweet Panther" (Formerly know as Café Mamboo) on Aviemore main street for "Pulled Pork" (as seen on Man verses Food) and I can vouch that my husband found his "food heaven". On saying all this, my husband and I feel that we will be booking a Spey Country Club chalet again as soon as possible. It's conflicting information I suppose to pass to anyone, but it seems that unless you are very rich and can afford villas or apartments for a quick few days break, then when you come to Aviemore "What happens in Aviemore stays in Aviemore" ie mould and dust!!!. It's a jewel in the crown though...and on that note the "Queen" is now signing out hehe x

Stayed August 2013, travelled as a couple

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2Thank Tripinalovertheworld

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Ask Tripinalovertheworld about Macdonald Spey Valley Golf & Country Club

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This is one of our timeshare weeks which we have owned for 25 years. Our week is in September and we have a 3 bedroom sleeps 8 'Patio' apartment. This is on two floors with the master bedroom & ensuite and kitchen diner on the ground floor with further bedrooms, bathroom, living room and closed in conservatory/balcony on the upper floor. Has its own back garden area with outdoor table & chairs & brick built BBQ. The closed in 'balcony' has a conservatory effect as it is all glass and this is a lovely suntrap and perfect for sitting in and relaxing. It has been refurbished in recent years and is a great resort to come to for relaxing. We do not use the restaurant often at all due to the cost and limited menu but are happy to have the odd snack in the bar. Would love to eat in the restaurant regularly but I often view the menu then decide against it. The entertainment has diminished over the years but since we don't go for that we are not really bothered. If you are a skier, walker or cyclist then this is the perfect base.

Stayed September 2013, travelled as a couple

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Thank Sue P

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Ask Sue P about Macdonald Spey Valley Golf & Country Club

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Had been trying to exchange here for several years - so given the high demand, I have to say the resort was somewhat disappointing. The reception is very 'glossy' but the units are nowhere near the standard that might be implied from the reception desk.There is relatively little to do 'on-site'. Swimming pool is fine and a small gym and kids playground. Lots more activities at the sister site down the road, which you're expected to pay to go in, even though you're staying in the same resort. (E.g. larger pool with wave machine and flume, soft-play frames). Cost £5 to use the laundry which also seemed unreasonable given we were staying there...

The timber unit we stayed in was OK - we've had worse, but it really needs a bit of an overhaul now. It was dry and clean. The main bedroom was very 'tight' - just a bed and cupboard. No bedside table or desk. Kitchen was so small there was no preparation space at all. We prepared food on top of the toaster, microwave or draining board.There was singing/quiz entertainment a couple of evenings by Macdonalds this was fine, but limited.

As someone else has already said - use it as a base... and go off and explore.

Stayed August 2013, travelled with family

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Thank Kevin S

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Ask Kevin S about Macdonald Spey Valley Golf & Country Club

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I have been going for years and I love the area. The accommodation is adequate and is better than adequate if your unit has been done up. The club house is grim and the entertainment lacking. If you use the accommodation as a base to enjoy the area you'll get more out of it. The restaurant is poor. They have tried rebranding it many times and they now call it the Scottish steak club. It is usually empty so you can draw your own conclusion from that.

Stayed August 2013

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Ask stallion20000 about Macdonald Spey Valley Golf & Country Club

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stallion20000 has 2 more reviews of Macdonald Spey Valley Golf & Country Club

We had booked a week in July/August in a 3-bedroom Unit, through RCI for 102K points.

We have stayed in Avemore several times, but had never before visited the Dalfaber Country Club, as it was previously known. We found it off to the right, past the northern edge of town.

Reception quick and professional.

‘Patio 16’ is a two-storey 3-bedroom house in a terrace of 4. 12 parking spaces shared between the 4 houses.Main door to porch with 3 hooks and what appeared to be a ski rack. Internal door into hall. Good sized Master bedroom to left off hall. 2 comfortable firm single beds, made up as a King, with a duvet and bedspread. Firm pillows. Bedside table with one shallow drawer on each side of bed, plus 2 wall lights. Phone/clock/radio (didn’t try to see if it worked). Heater under the window. Armchair, in front of double wardrobe, with hangers, 3 shelves and a top shelf. (No safe.) Dressing table with 2 shallow drawers, and a chair. Wall mirror and light. 2 nice pictures of flowers. Door to en-suite bathroom with in-bath shower (not much pressure). Wall fan-heater and heated towel rail.

Large open-plan diner and kitchen, with lino flooring. Very well-equipped for 8 people, with even a hand mixer, rolling pin and kitchen scales! Table with 2 leaves gives ample space for 8 people. (We only had 7 dining chairs, but had advised that we were only 7 people – and there were also 2 similar chairs in bedrooms.) Dishwasher, with an ample supply of very good soap powder provided. Glass sliding doors off dining area to a wooden-fenced patio. Iron table with 4 chairs and a central umbrella. Nice tub of flowers, and a brick barbecue grate.

Understair cupboard with an iron, ironing board and wooden airing rack. Stairs to upper landing with a nice photo-picture of a Scottish scene at the top.

Large sitting room with two 3-seater settees and an upright armchair (for Grannie?). Set of 3 coffee tables. Cupboard with bedding for the bed-settee, chest of drawers and drinks cabinet (with four more 8-piece sets of different glasses!) TV, with limited channels (and it quite often pixellates). 3 more nice photos of Scottish scenes. Alarm clock radio, but couldn’t get any reception. Bed settee was extremely uncomfortable, and the mattress placed on the floor was found more acceptable.Sliding doors to conservatory area, with two 2-seater rattan settees, and matching coffee table.

Modern shower room, nicely tiled, with electric shower, and 2 doors, one to landing and one to twin bedroom.

Twin bedroom with 2 bedside tables and wall lamps. Armchair. Wardrobe with 2 drawers. Dressing table with a mirror, light and chair.Access to bunk room (with a chest of 4 drawers) is through the twin room – a privacy issue making it suitable only for children really.

House very well furnished and equipped, but needs re-decorating, especially the doors and the window frames.Free wifi, OK for browsing, though often ‘not responding’, and insufficient for streaming.

Very nice swimming pool, of a good size. Sauna and steam rooms. Lockers available for £1 deposit.Snooker at £1 per game. Fair sized gym. Tennis, golf, etc, etc.

We stayed at the resort - now called Spey Valley Country Club - for second time in June. We loved our lodge - a circular, timber building overlooking the River Spey. It was spacious, very well equipped with everything you need for a self catering stay. We visited the club house on several occasions for drinks - they serve local Cairngorm brewery real ales which pleased my husband. We also ate there twice. Although not cheap they were good value for money, well cooked and well presented, We did not have the steaks as they are very pricey and you have to pay extra for sauces which I think is a bit cheeky. The staff were very pleasant. The resort has a variety of accommodation - lodges, apartments and cabins. They are spread out along the golf course. We were at the far end with fab views of the Cairngorms. There is a large leisure centre with an excellent thermal suite. We will be back.

Stayed June 2013, travelled as a couple

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1Thank Sylvia B

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Ask Sylvia B about Macdonald Spey Valley Golf & Country Club

This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

Spey Valley Golf & Country Club borders the famous River Spey with spectacular views of the surrounding Spey Valley and Cairngorm Mountains. The Resort is close to the lively village of Aviemore.Spey Valley Golf & Country Club offers luxury lodges, spacious apartments and cosy Scandinavian style chalets scattered around a nine hole, par 3 golf course. The reception area, swimming pool, sports hall and other leisure facilities, along with an excellent restaurant and relaxing bar are all located in the Clubhouse.Whether you are here to enjoy an exciting activity holiday or a break in glorious scenery, you're sure to find what you are looking for at Macdonald Spey Valley Golf & Country Club. We wish you an enjoyable stay!...more less

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Also Known As:

Macdonald Dalfaber Golf & Country Club Hotel Aviemore

Macdonald Dalfaber Golf And Country Club

Macdonald Spey Valley Golf & Country Club Aviemore, Scotland

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